---
title: 'How to embed Prisma Studio in a Next.js app'
metaTitle: 'How to embed Prisma Studio in a Next.js app with Prisma Postgres'
description: 'Learn how to embed Prisma Studio directly in your Next.js application for database management'
sidebar_label: 'Embedded Prisma Studio (with Next.js)'
image: '/img/guides/prisma-studio-embedded-in-nextjs.png'
completion_time: '15 min'
tags:
  - Next.js
  - Prisma Studio
  - Embedding
community_section: true
---

Prisma Studio can be embedded directly into your Next.js application using the [`@prisma/studio-core`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@prisma/studio-core) package. This guide walks you through the setup so you can manage your database from within your app instead of running Prisma Studio separately.

After completing the guide, you'll have a Next.js app with Prisma Studio embedded, allowing you to browse and edit your database directly from your application interface:

![Prisma Studio embedded in Next.js app](/img/guides/embedded-studio.gif)

Embedding Prisma Studio can be useful in scenarios such as:

- Building a quick admin dashboard for editing data
- Supporting multi-tenant applications where each user has their own database
- Giving users an easy way to view and edit their data

:::note

[**Embeddable Prisma Studio**](/postgres/database/prisma-studio/embedding-studio) is *free* and licensed under Apache 2.0.

✔️ Free to use in production
⚠️ Prisma branding must remain visible and unchanged
🔐 To remove branding or learn about upcoming partner-only features, reach out at [partnerships@prisma.io](mailto:partnerships@prisma.io)

Currently, Embedded Prisma Studio supports [**Prisma Postgres**](/postgres), with additional databases coming soon.

:::

## Prerequisites

- [Node.js 20+](https://nodejs.org)
- Basic knowledge of React and Next.js
- A Prisma Postgres database 

## 1. Setting up Next.js

First, create a new Next.js project from the directory where you want to build your app:

```terminal
npx create-next-app@latest nextjs-studio-embed
```

You will be prompted to answer a few questions about your project. Select all of the defaults.

:::info

For reference, those are:

- TypeScript
- ESLint
- Tailwind CSS
- No `src` directory
- App Router
- Turbopack
- Select default import alias

:::

Then, navigate to the project directory:

```terminal
cd nextjs-studio-embed
```

## 2. Setting up Prisma ORM and Prisma Postgres

### 2.1. Install Prisma dependencies

Install the required Prisma packages:

```terminal
npm install prisma tsx @types/pg --save-dev
npm install @prisma/extension-accelerate @prisma/client @prisma/adapter-pg dotenv pg
```

:::info

If you are using a different database provider (MySQL, SQL Server, SQLite), install the corresponding driver adapter package instead of `@prisma/adapter-pg`. For more information, see [Database drivers](/orm/overview/databases/database-drivers).

:::

### 2.2. Initialize Prisma with Prisma Postgres

Initialize Prisma in your project and create a Prisma Postgres database:

```terminal
npx prisma init --db --output ../app/generated/prisma
```

:::info

You'll need to answer a few questions while setting up your Prisma Postgres database. Select the region closest to your location and a memorable name for your database like "My __________ Project"

:::

The `prisma init --db` command creates:

- A `prisma/` directory with your `schema.prisma` file
- A `prisma.config.ts` file for configuring Prisma 
- A new Prisma Postgres database
- A `.env` file with your `DATABASE_URL`
- An output directory at `app/generated/prisma` for the Prisma Client

### 2.3. Define your database schema

Open `prisma/schema.prisma` and replace the content with:

```prisma file=prisma/schema.prisma
generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client"
  output   = "../app/generated/prisma"
}

datasource db {
  provider = "postgresql"
}

//add-start

model User {
  id    Int    @id @default(autoincrement())
  name  String
  email String @unique
  posts Post[]
}

model Post {
  id        Int      @id @default(autoincrement())
  title     String
  content   String?
  published Boolean  @default(false)
  authorId  Int
  author    User     @relation(fields: [authorId], references: [id])
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
}

//add-end
```

### 2.4 Add `dotenv` to `prisma.config.ts`

To get access to the variables in the `.env` file, they can either be loaded by your runtime, or by using `dotenv`.
Include an import for `dotenv` at the top of the `prisma.config.ts`

```ts
//add-start
import 'dotenv/config'
//add-end
import { defineConfig, env } from 'prisma/config';
export default defineConfig({
  schema: 'prisma/schema.prisma',
  migrations: {
    path: 'prisma/migrations',
  },
  datasource: {
    url: env('DATABASE_URL'),
  },
});
```


### 2.5. Apply the schema to your database

Generate the Prisma Client and apply the schema:

```terminal
npx prisma migrate dev --name init
npx prisma generate
```

This creates the tables in your Prisma Postgres database and generates the Prisma Client.

### 2.6. Seed your database (optional)

Create a seed file to add some sample data. Create a `seed.ts` file in the `prisma` folder and add the following code:

```typescript file=prisma/seed.ts
import { PrismaClient } from '../app/generated/prisma/client'
import { PrismaPg } from '@prisma/adapter-pg'

const adapter = new PrismaPg({
  connectionString: process.env.DATABASE_URL!,
})

const prisma = new PrismaClient({
  adapter,
})

async function main() {
  // Create users
  const user1 = await prisma.user.create({
    data: {
      name: 'Alice Johnson',
      email: 'alice@example.com',
    },
  })

  const user2 = await prisma.user.create({
    data: {
      name: 'Bob Smith',
      email: 'bob@example.com',
    },
  })

  // Create posts
  await prisma.post.create({
    data: {
      title: 'Getting Started with Next.js',
      content: 'Next.js is a powerful React framework...',
      published: true,
      authorId: user1.id,
    },
  })

  await prisma.post.create({
    data: {
      title: 'Database Management with Prisma',
      content: 'Prisma makes database management easy...',
      published: false,
      authorId: user2.id,
    },
  })

  console.log('Database seeded successfully!')
}

main()
  .catch((e) => {
    console.error(e)
    process.exit(1)
  })
  .finally(async () => {
    await prisma.$disconnect()
  })
```

Add a seed script to your `prisma.config.ts`:

```ts file=prisma.config.ts
import 'dotenv/config';
import { defineConfig, env } from 'prisma/config';
export default defineConfig({
  schema: 'prisma/schema.prisma',
  migrations: {
    path: 'prisma/migrations',
    seed: `tsx prisma/seed.ts`,
  },
  datasource: {
    url: env('DIRECT_URL'),
  },
});
```

Run the seed script:

```terminal
npx prisma db seed
```

## 3. Setting up the embedded Prisma Studio in your app

Now that you have Prisma ORM and Prisma Postgres set up, you can embed Prisma Studio in your Next.js app. 

### 3.1. Install the Prisma Studio Core package

Install the [`@prisma/studio-core` package](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@prisma/studio-core) that provides the embeddable components:

```terminal
npm install @prisma/studio-core
```

:::note

If you encounter a dependency resolution error while installing `@prisma/studio-core`, you can force the install with:

```terminal
npm install @prisma/studio-core --force
```

If you are using yarn, pnpm, or another package manager, use the equivalent flag for your tool.
:::

The `@prisma/studio-core` provides `Studio`, a React component which renders Prisma Studio for your database. The `Studio` component accepts an _executor_ which accesses a custom endpoint in your backend. The backend uses your API key to identify the correct Prisma Postgres instance and sends the SQL query to it.

### 3.2. Create a Studio wrapper component

Create a `components` folder and add a new file called `StudioWrapper.tsx`. This file will wrap the Studio component and provide a consistent layout:

```tsx file=components/StudioWrapper.tsx
'use client';
import "@prisma/studio-core/ui/index.css";
import { ReactNode } from 'react';

interface StudioWrapperProps {
  children: ReactNode;
}

export default function StudioWrapper({ children }: StudioWrapperProps) {
  return (
    <div className="min-h-screen bg-gray-50">
      <header className="bg-white shadow-sm border-b">
        <div className="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
          <div className="flex justify-between items-center py-4">
            <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900">
              Database Studio
            </h1>
            <div className="text-sm text-gray-500">
              Powered by Prisma Studio
            </div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </header>
      <main className="max-w-7xl mx-auto">
        <div className="h-[calc(100vh-80px)]">
          {children}
        </div>
      </main>
    </div>
  );
}
```

### 3.3. Create an API endpoint to send the SQL queries to Prisma Studio

Next, set up a backend endpoint that Prisma Studio can communicate with. This endpoint receives SQL queries from the embedded Studio UI, forwards them to your Prisma Postgres database, and then returns the results (or errors) back to the frontend.

To do this, create a new folder called `api` inside the `app` directory. Inside it, add a `studio` folder with a `route.ts` file. This file will handle all requests sent to `/api/studio` and act as the bridge between the Studio component in your frontend and the database in your backend:

```typescript file=app/api/studio/route.ts
import "dotenv/config"
import { createPrismaPostgresHttpClient } from "@prisma/studio-core/data/ppg";
import { serializeError } from "@prisma/studio-core/data/bff";

const CORS_HEADERS = {
  "Access-Control-Allow-Origin": "*", // Change to your domain in production
  "Access-Control-Allow-Methods": "GET, POST, OPTIONS",
  "Access-Control-Allow-Headers": "Content-Type, Authorization",
};

// Use dynamic rendering for database operations
export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";

export async function GET() {
  return Response.json(
    { message: "Studio API endpoint is running" },
    { headers: CORS_HEADERS }
  );
}

export async function POST(request: Request) {
  try {
    const body = await request.json();
    const query = body.query;

    if (!query) {
      return Response.json([serializeError(new Error("Query is required"))], {
        status: 400,
        headers: CORS_HEADERS,
      });
    }

    const url = process.env.DATABASE_URL;
    if (!url) {
      const message = "❌ Environment variable DATABASE_URL is missing.";
      return Response.json([serializeError(new Error(message))], {
        status: 500,
        headers: CORS_HEADERS,
      });
    }

    const [error, results] = await createPrismaPostgresHttpClient({
      url,
    }).execute(query);

    if (error) {
      return Response.json([serializeError(error)], {
        headers: CORS_HEADERS,
      });
    }

    return Response.json([null, results], { headers: CORS_HEADERS });
  } catch (err) {
    return Response.json([serializeError(err)], {
      status: 400,
      headers: CORS_HEADERS,
    });
  }
}

// Handle preflight requests for CORS
export async function OPTIONS() {
  return new Response(null, { status: 204, headers: CORS_HEADERS });
}
```

### 3.4. Create the main Studio page

Open the `app/page.tsx` file and replace the existing code to render the embedded Studio with the following:

```tsx file=app/page.tsx
'use client';

import dynamic from "next/dynamic";
import { createPostgresAdapter } from "@prisma/studio-core/data/postgres-core";
import { createStudioBFFClient } from "@prisma/studio-core/data/bff";
import { useMemo, Suspense } from "react";
import StudioWrapper from "@/components/StudioWrapper";

// Dynamically import Studio with no SSR to avoid hydration issues
const Studio = dynamic(
  () => import("@prisma/studio-core/ui").then(mod => mod.Studio),
  {
    ssr: false
  }
);

// Loading component
const StudioLoading = () => (
  <div className="flex items-center justify-center h-full">
    <div className="text-center">
      <div className="animate-spin rounded-full h-12 w-12 border-b-2 border-blue-600 mx-auto"></div>
      <p className="mt-4 text-gray-600">Loading Studio...</p>
    </div>
  </div>
);

// Client-only Studio component
const ClientOnlyStudio = () => {
  const adapter = useMemo(() => {
    // Create the HTTP client that communicates with our API endpoint
    const executor = createStudioBFFClient({
      url: "/api/studio",
    });

    // Create the Postgres adapter using the executor
    return createPostgresAdapter({ executor });
  }, []);

  return <Studio adapter={adapter} />;
};

export default function App() {
  return (
    <StudioWrapper>
      <Suspense fallback={<StudioLoading />}>
        <ClientOnlyStudio />
      </Suspense>
    </StudioWrapper>
  );
}
```

### 3.5. Start your development server and test the embedded Studio

Start your Next.js development server:

```terminal
npm run dev
```

Open your browser and go to `http://localhost:3000`. You should now see Prisma Studio running inside your application:

![Prisma Studio embedded in Next.js app](/img/guides/embedded-studio.gif)

Here's what to look for:

1. **Prisma Studio interface**: The full Prisma Studio UI should render within your app layout.
2. **Your data**: The `User` and `Post` tables you defined (plus any seeded data) should appear.
3. **Interactive features**:
   - Browse and filter records in your tables
   - Edit values inline by double-clicking cells
   - Add new records using the "Add record" button
   - Delete records you no longer need
   - Explore relationships by navigating between related tables

Verify whether everything works by testing the basics:

- Click on different tables to confirm your data loads.
- Update a record to check that changes are saved.
- Add a new record and confirm it appears instantly.
- Try filtering data to make sure queries run correctly.
- Navigate through relationships (for example, view a user's posts) to confirm associations work.

Once these actions work as expected, your embedded Prisma Studio is set up and connected to your Prisma Postgres database.

## Next steps

At this point you have Prisma Studio running inside your Next.js application and connected to your Prisma Postgres database. You can browse, edit, and manage your data without leaving your app. To make this setup production-ready, consider these improvements:

1. **Add authentication**: Currently, anyone who can open your app has access to Prisma Studio. [Add user authentication](/postgres/database/prisma-studio/embedding-studio#adding-user-authentication) and only allow specific roles (for example, admins) to use the embedded Studio. You can do this by checking authentication tokens in your `/api/studio` endpoint before running queries.

2. **Use environment-specific configuration**: In development you may want a test database, while in production you'll need a separate live database. Update your `.env` file to use different `DATABASE_URL` values for each environment, and confirm that your `/api/studio` endpoint is reading the correct one.

3. **Apply custom styling**: The Studio component ships with a default look. Pass in [your own theme](/postgres/database/prisma-studio/embedding-studio#custom-styling) and adjust colors, typography, or branding to match the rest of your application. This helps Studio feel like a native part of your app rather than a standalone tool.

By adding authentication, environment-specific settings, and styling, you move from a working demo to a secure and polished production setup.

For more patterns and examples, see the [Prisma Studio Core demo repository](https://github.com/prisma/studio-core-demo), which includes an alternative implementation using Hono.js and React. If you prefer a guided walkthrough, watch the YouTube video: [**Use Prisma Studio in Your Own Applications
**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up5vG2YHPvc).